Clarice Louise Reinhardt

Clarice Louise Reinhardt, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed from this world on Friday, August 23, 2024, in Chanute, Kansas. 

She was born on June 28, 1937, to A. Lee Spencer and Lois (Sias) Spencer in Fredonia, Kansas. Clarice attended Fredonia High School, graduating in 1955, and furthered her education at Pittsburg State University. 

On June 28, 1959, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Eugene “Gene” Reinhardt in Wichita, Kansas. Throughout her life, Clarice was a devoted and active individual, particularly cherished during her years as a young mother. She took pride in being involved with the PTA and found joy in the company of her numerous Bridge Clubs.

 Clarice is survived by her loving children: Misty Emerson of Lawrence, Kansas; Ken (Rhonda) Reinhardt of Lenexa, Kansas; and Kerwin (Melissa) Reinhardt of Chanute, Kansas. She also leaves behind a brother, Robert (Sarah) Spencer of Chanute, Kansas, along with her beloved grandchildren—Aaron Emerson, Spencer, Kyler, and Ezekiel Reinhardt, and Kyra, Paige, Lakyn, and Sawyer Reinhardt. The warmth of her legacy extends to her great-grandchildren—Elaine, Oliver, and Avery Emerson; Cha ‘Kyra, Nyjah, Miko Wallace; and Nolan Cotton. Clarice was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Reinhardt, who departed in 2010; her brother, William Spencer; her sister, Carolyn Goodrich; and her great-granddaughter, Violet May Cotton. 

Clarice was an avid reader and loyal patron of the Chanute Library. She had a sharp mind and always had a stack of logic puzzle books close at hand. She loved having her family together for picnics and holidays. She was adventurous, loved flying, went parasailing at the age of 67, and always wanted to have the opportunity to skydive. Her children remember her as their place of comfort and security. She proved herself to be a wonderful mother-in-love and was a “mom” to both of her daughters-in-law as they lost their own mothers. Her oldest grandson, her first-born grandchild, remembers her as being incredibly sweet and always happy. He never saw her angry. He says she made the best, fluffiest scrambled eggs. Her granddaughters remember her always having strawberry milk and Oreos ready to share. Her out-of-town grandsons remember scrambled egg and biscuit and jelly breakfasts at every visit. They also remember her being willing to spend time with them and she even learned how to play a video game with one of her grandsons. As one grandson summed it up, she truly was “the sweetest woman on Earth.”Clarice’s spirit will continue to be felt in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her memory lives on through the lives she touched and the family that she cherished. 

A visitation in honor of Clarice Louise Reinhardt will be held on August 30, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Memorial service at 11:00 AM, at Wickham Family Funeral Home 500 North Forest Ave in Chanute, Kansas. A private family burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute, KS. 

Services are under the guidance of Wickham Family Funeral Home 500 North Forest Ave. Chanute, Kansas